Song dynasty rubbings of the "Seventeen Pieces" by Wang Xizhi in two styles

Author: Wang Haiming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Wang Xizhi was born into a family of calligraphers. His uncle Wang Yi, Wang Dao; and cousins Wang Tan, Wang Qia were all renowned calligraphers of the time. Wang Xizhi (321–379 or 303–361), styled Yishao, styled Danzhai, originally from Langya Linyi (now part of Shandong), later moved to Shanyin (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). He held the positions of Right Military General and Jieshi of Kuaiji and was a great calligrapher of Eastern Jin, revered as the Sage of Calligraphy by later generations. At the age of seven, Wang Xizhi studied calligraphy under the female calligrapher Wei Shuo. He practiced copying Wei’s works until he was twelve, though his efforts were already commendable, he never felt fully satisfied. Often hearing his teacher recount stories of calligraphers’ diligent and arduous practice, he developed a deep admiration for the Eastern Han “Sage of Cursive” Zhang Zhi and resolved to inspire himself with Zhang’s story of practicing calligraphy in the pool. To refine his calligraphy skills, he traveled far and wide, inscribing and collecting ancient steles, accumulating a vast amount of calligraphic materials. In his study, courtyard, by the main gate, and even outside the toilet, he placed stools with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Whenever he thought of a well-structured character, he would immediately write it down. During his practice, he would concentrate so intently that he forgot to eat or sleep. He believed that raising geese not only cultivated his temperament but also allowed him to observe the calligraphic principles of holding and moving the brush from the geese’s postures. One morning, Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xuanzhi took a small boat to enjoy the landscapes of Shaoxing. As their boat approached the nearby Langle Village, they saw a group of white geese waddling and shuffling along the shore. Wang Xizhi was captivated by their beauty and longed to bring them home. He asked the local Taoist priest if he could buy the geese. The priest replied, “If Right Military General Wang desires them, please write a Taoist classic for me titled ‘Huangting Jing’.” Eager to own the geese, Wang Xizhi readily agreed to the priest’s condition. This became the story of “Wang Xizhi Trading Calligraphy for Geese.” At the age of twenty, the Grand Preceptor Chi Jian sent someone to Wang Dao’s home to select a son-in-law. During that time, people valued social status and sought matches based on family background. Wang Dao’s son and nephew, hearing of the impending visit, disguised themselves to increase their chances of being chosen. Only Wang Xizhi, seemingly unaware of the situation, lay on a bamboo couch to the east, eating buns with one hand while sketching with the other. When the messenger returned and reported what he had seen, Chi Jian exclaimed upon learning of the composed Wang Xizhi on the couch. “This is the son-in-law I seek!” he declared, and thus, Chi Jian’s daughter Chi Jun was married to Wang Xizhi. This story gave rise to the idioms “Dongchuang” (the bamboo couch) and “Lingtan” (the worthy son-in-law). More idioms are associated with him. It is said that once, he wrote characters on a wooden board and gave it to an engraver to follow. The engraver, using a knife to carve the wood, discovered that his ink had three-thirds into the board. This is the origin of the idiom “Rumu Sanfen” (penetrating three-thirds into the wood).